Typographical composing machine



Aug; 25, 1936. CKERLMAN j 2,051,803

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TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Original Filed March 22, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 25, 1936.-

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TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed March 22, 1929 :bllll h III I A TTORNE )5 5, 1936. w. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Original Filed March 22, 1929 '7 Sheets-She et 6 M haw v m m Q kb v A TTORNE S Aug. 25, 1936.- W..ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Original Filed March 22, 19,29 7 Sheets-Shetf? 11v VENTOR A TTOR 5 Y;

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPO SING MACHINE -William Ackerman, Towners, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, v acorporation of New York Original application March 22, 1929, Serial No.

. 349,240. Divided and this application April 25,

1935, Serial No. 18,116

20 Claims.

This invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to 0. Mergenthaler No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices, by the manipulation of a keyboard, are released from a channeled magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug, or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, andthe matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

In these machines, the keyboard ordinarily employed comprises as many finger-keys as there are characters ina matrix font, each key being connected to and located substantially in the vertical plane of the particular magazine channel containing matrices of the corresponding character, and the order or arrangement of the fingerkeys being the same as that of the matrix columns in the magazine. Such a keyboard is peculiar to the linotype machine and differs radically from the standard or universal layout used on type- Writer and similar machines. While attempts have heretofore been made in-adapting a typewriter keyboard to linotype machines, the mechanism involved has been of a more or less com-' plicated nature and otherwise objectionable, it being understood that the difference lies not only in the size of the keyboards and the number'of finger-keys but also in the arrangement of the latter according to character.

The present invention aims to improve these conditions and contemplates means associated with the smaller typewriter keyboard for producing a series of combinations through which the various connections between the finger-keys and the channels of the magazine may be effected so as to permit the composition of the matrices in the regular way.

To this end the keyboard mechanism, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, includes a set F of notched locking bars arranged to cooperate with a series of spring-actuated slides which control the operation of the magazine escapements, the said bars as the finger-keys are depressed being shiftable singly or in groups to establish diflerent releasing combinations for the slides and the con sequent release of the matrices. As herein shown, the bars are operated automatically by a corresponding set of magnets or solenoids controlled from the keyboard through suitable elec-' trical connections later to be described.

In the accompanying-drawings the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and obviously many improvements may be made therein andin its mode of operation without departing from its spirit. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodi ment except insofar as specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 .is'a front View of aportion of atypographical machine equipped with the improved keyboard;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation largely in verticalse'ction of the keyboard andpower-operate'd devices controlled thereby for effecting the release of the matrices;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, p'artlyin horizontal section and broken away, of the keyboard and associated parts? I 1 Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the electrical contacts in the conductorbars;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the locking bars which control the operation of the escapement actuating devices;

' Fig. 7 is a horizontal section'taken on the'line 1--"IofFig.6;' 'm

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic front view showing the combination system employed in operating the escapement actuating devices under control of the locking'bars;

Fig. 10 is a detailed View, partly diagrammatic, of the notched locking bars; and

Fig. 11 is a diagram showingthe electrical keyboard connections employed.

The matrices X are stored in their regular order' according to character in the channeled magazine A (Figs. 1 and 2) and are released therefrom by a, series of escapements A whichzare actuated by a corresponding series of'vertical reciprocating reeds B and intermediate rocking levers B controlled from a keyboard C. The released matrices pass downwardly through a channeled raceway or front plat'e D onto an-inclined belt D leading to an assembler E wherein they are composed in line together with spacebands Y. After the line is completely composed, it is delivered to the casting mechanism for the casting of the slug and finally the matrices arereturned through distributing'mechanism (not shown) to their appropriate channels in the magazine A, the spaceb'ands meanwhile being separated from the matrices and returned to their storage magazine Y The keyboard C (see Fig. 4) comprises approximately half the number of finger-keys C as the regular linotype keyboard, and the arrangement of the keys according to character corresponds preferably with that or a standard typewriter keyboard. The magazine A, on the other hand, has the regular number of channels (90 or more) and the matrices are stored therein in regular linotype order; their character arrangement thus differing radically from that of the finger-keys.

In making use of the special keyboard C, the channels of the magazine for the sake of clearness may be considered as being divided into two groups, one group containing matrices to be regarded as lower case matrices, which will include those bearing the small letters, the numbers, and miscellaneous characters, and the other group containing matrices to be regarded as upper case matrices, 'or those bearing the capital letters andextra characters. The escapee ments A and their actuating reeds B may also be regarded as divided into groups corresponding to the group arrangement of the magazine channels.

The keyboard Calso includes an elongated space key C for causing the release of the spacebands Y from. the magazine Y as well asa pair of shiftgkeys' (3 ,0 arranged at the opposite .sides of the keyboard, the key C at the left (Fig. 4) being marked L. C.-to indicate lower case and the key. at the right being marked U. C. to indicate pp r case. By operation of the shift keys C C the keyboard C may be operatively connected, as desired, to either group of magazine channels through the associated reeds and escapements in a manner presently to bexdescribed.

So far as described, the parts, their construction, and'mode of. operation,-.except as hereinafter pointed out, are similar, to those shownin the patent to D. S. KennedyyNor 1,347,747, to which reference may be hadif desired.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the improved mechanism for operatively connectingthe keyboard C to the magazine A is carried in a-frame P ar-. ranged at the rear of-the keyboard C and fastened to upright side postsP rising from fixed bracket members P of a bed plate 0. The operative elements thereof include a series of vertical slides P corresponding in number to the escapement actuating reeds Bzand arranged below the same with their upper ends in position to control, throughtrip dogs P two rows of cam yokes P which are pivoted attheir outer ends and disposed horizontallyabove a pair of rolls P the latter being driven ,constantly'from the so called intermediate, shaft J by a belt J (see Fig. 1) The inner ends of the cam yok-es are located directly beneath the respective reeds B, so that when a slide P isqraised the-cam yoke associated therewith will be released by the'intervening trip dog and its rotary cam allowed to en-' gage the periphery of; the underlying roll P This engagement causes rotation of the cam and a consequent rocking of the yoke, which is adapt-. ed in turn to engage the reed above andlift it to actuate the corresponding escapement.

The slides P are mounted and guided in the frame P and each is formed in its rear edge with notches p and at its lower end with a lug projecting rearwardly-therefrom. Spring-actuated plungers or detents P ,;arranged beneath the respective slides P in the frame P, are employed to raise them, and a universal bar Q common to all of the slides and arranged in engagement with the lugs p is employed to restore them to their lower position against the action of the detents P The bar Q (see Fig. 6) is suspended from the frame P near the opposite ends thereof by a pair of links Q and is movable longitudinally opposite directions to lock and release the "slides P A pull spring Q connected to the bar at the-extreme right in Fig. 4 and anchored to a fixed bracket R of the main frame, holds the bar resiliently in its locking position (shown by the full lines in Fig. 6), and a solenoid Q (Fig. 4) is employed to swing the bar against the ten sion of said spring to its releasing position (indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6). The solenoid Q is supported by a fixed bracket arm Q and its core member is provided with a finger Q which projects forwardly therefrom and engages in a transverse aperture q formed in the bar Q (see Figsniandfi). The operation of the slides P is controlled by a series of six horizontal main notched locking bars R and a master or auxiliary notched locking bar S (Fig. 10), all of which are slidably mounted in the frame P for a slight longitudinal movement in opposite directions and are arranged in superposed spaced relation with their front or notched edges engaged with the respective notches p of the vertical slides P 'The lowermost or master bar'S is shorter than the bars R and is sustained at its opposite ends by pin and slot connections S which also serve to limit its longitudinal movement (see Fig. 7). The-operation of the bar S is efiected by means of a pair of special slides S S located respectively adjacent theopposite ends of the bar S and which,. in many respects, are similar to the slides P being formed with corresponding notches s and at their lower ends with lugs s for engagement with the retaining bar Q. Unlike the slides P however, the special slides S S are also formed'with beveled cam surfaces 8 and moreover have no connection whatever with the cam yokes P or the associated reeds B. Their only function is to shift the bar '8 in one direction or the other as they are raised by means of spring-actuated detents 8 which are somewhat larger than the detents P of the slides P so as to be capable of overcoming the frictional-resistance presented by the bar S.

The main locking bars R are held resiliently toward the right, under the tension of pull springs R against a vertical stop plate R which is secured to the right-hand post P and projects into a recess r formed in each of said bars (Fig. 4). The shifting of the bars in the opposite direction is effected by a series of magnets R each bar being connected to an individual magnet and operable thereby independently of the other bars. The several magnets (Figs. 3 and 4) are mounted upon and conveniently distributed around a supporting bracket R which is secured to the fixed bracket R and formed with lateral extensions R the latter being located adjacent the respective magnets and projecting slightly beyond the outer ends thereof. The locking bars R extend through openings in both of said brackets and are operatively connected to the respective magnets by intermediate platelevers R, hinged to the extensions R and provided with contact points R alined with the magnet cores or, poles.

The front edges of the bars R are formed with notches r and intervening teeth or locking vention, reference may be had to Fig. 9, which shows diagrammatically the locking bars R in their normal or locking position, the notches r of the bars being indicated by the shaded portions, and the teeth r being indicated by the plain or unshaded portions. Taking for example,-the slide P for the lower case e (which is the second slide from the left), this slide is normally locked against actuation by the second locking bar R from the top, which is designated by the numeral 1; hence to release the slide, it is only necessary that this No. 1 locking bar be moved to the left. The slide P next to the right, for the lower case t, is similarly locked against actuation by a single one-of the bars R namely, that designated No. 5, and hence is released by the movement of that particular bar to the left. The third slide P for the lower case a, on the other hand, is held against actuation by two of the locking bars R namely, those designated Nos. 1 and2, so that both of these bars must be moved in unison to the left to release the slide. The combinations vary in this way for the various slides, each combination being indicated in the chart shown at the top of Fig. 9 by numerals corresponding to those on the bars R Since but six locking bars R are employed to make up the releasing combinations for the slides P the highest possible number of combinations available would not be great enough to provide a separate combination for each of the different characters comprised within the normal matrix font of a linotype machine (usually 90 or more), and for this reason some of the releasing combinations are duplicated on the bars R To be specific, the notches 1' and teeth r formed at the left of the bars R and which control the actuation of the slides P for the lower case characters as last described, are duplicated at the right of the bars to control the actuation of the slides P forthe corresponding upper casecharacters. Thus, by again referring toFig. 9, it will be seen that the releasing combination for the first slide P of the right-hand group, representing the upper case or cap Q, is the same as that for the lower case q, which latter happens to be the last one of the group shownat the left. As a result, when the locking bars designated 1, 2, 3 and 5 are moved to the left to create the particular releasing combination allotted to these duplicate characters, the slidesP for both would be unlocked and permitted to operate were it not for the presence of the master locking bar S before referred to; The same is true of all the other upper case characters, whose releasing combinations are duplicates of the corresponding lower case oharac ters.

The master locking bar S is therefore adapted to lock against actuation the slides P of either the lower case group or the upper case group, as may be required. Forthis purpose the bar (as more clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8) is formed in its front edge with notches s and intermediate solid or tooth portions 3 these notches and tooth portions being so arranged that when the full lines in Fig. 9, the tooth'portions s at the right will lock the upper case slides P against actuation, while the notches s at the left will release the lower case slides P In this way, notwithstanding the duplication of the .releasing combinations of the locking bars R only those ofthe upper case group or the lower case-group" will be permitted to operate when the locking bars" are moved to the left-in the manner before described. In thisconnection it may be noted that the special slide S at the left, which effects the movement of the bar -S toward the right, is released for actuation by the movement of five of the locking bars R namely, those designated Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4-and 5;While the special slide S at the right, which effects the movement of the bar S toward the left, is released for actuation by the movement of four of the looking bars,

namely, those designated Nos; 1, 2, 4 andv 5n h v v The slide P at the extreme right of Fig. 9,

representing the space key, has no duplicatereleasing combination and hence does not come within the comp-ass of the master'locking bar S.

Themombinationfor this slide, as maybe observed, is created by the actuation of one looking sup-porting bed plate 0 and comprises generally a top plate 'CHa bottom plate 0 and two side plates C The finger-keys C are in the form of vertically disposedpush rods, projecting downwardly through the top plate C and provided with collars or shoulders c, which are held resiliently engaged with the lower face of said plate under the tension of light compression springs c surroundingtherods-and located directly beneath the key buttons. The lower ends of the key rodsC terminate in the :same horizontal plane and areconnected. respectively; through small bell-crank levers C to a corresponding series-offore-and-aft key bars 6 which are suspended near their rear ends by links C from the cross member of brackets- C depending from opposite sides of the top plate C. These key bars C (as will be noted in Fig. 3) present portions 0 incli'nedupwardly toward the rear, so that these inclined portions, for reasons presently to appear, will be moved edgewise as the key bars, through the links C and bell-cranks C are swung rearwardly by the depression of the finger-keys C (see dotted lines in Fig. 3). The springs c are adapted, of course, when the keys are released to restore the parts to their normal position. r

The keyboard mechanism also includes a vertically disposed rocker plate C (Figs. '2, 3, and 4) hingedly connected at its lower edge to the fixed bottom plate C and extending longitudinal- 1y across the keyboard with its front face in contact with the rear ends of the key bars'C At the extreme right, the plate C is provided bar is shifted to the right, as indicated by the with an integral arm C rising from the upper make and break an electric contact with a cor,- responding terminal C connected directly to the generator V. The terminal C is carried at the lower end of a flat spring metal plate C which is sustained by an angle piece C screwed to the top plate of the keyboard, but-which is insulated therefrom by a suitable insulation block C. When the two terminals are brought into contact a current is transmitted from a generator V through a series of, intermediate conductor bars C to the magnets R and also to the solenoid Q controlling the operation of the bar Q, above described. 7 I

The conductor bars C (six in number), one for each magnet R are arranged longitudinally of the keyboard C (from one side to the'other) and are mounted in separate grooves C formed in a block of insulation C the latter being secured to the bottom plate C and located directly beneath the inclined portions C of the key bars C (see Figs. 3 and 4) Each conductor bar C is provided with a plurality of contact pins or points spaced difierent distances apart and projecting slightly above the top surface of said bars into the path of one or another of the key bars C Light compression springs 0 arranged beneath the pins (Fig. and seated against the bottom of the grooves C hold the pins resiliently in place. The pins of the respective bars vary in number but are alined transversely with the pins of adjacent bars so as to provide a definite predetermined combination of one or more contacts for each of the various finger-keys. This pin arrangement is determined by a given code system and is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, where, for example, the combination for the first finger-key bearing character 1, would comprehend the conductor bars marked at the right 1, 3, 4, 5;- that for the sixth key bearing character 2, the bars 0, 1, 2, 5; and that for the ninth key bearing the characters X x the conductors bars 1, 4, 5.

The conductor bars C (as shown in the diagram of Fig. 11 and as'indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3) are connected by separate wires to the respective magnets R so that by the depression of the finger-keys, these magnets are independently energized from the generator V, and the operation of the bars R thus brought under the control of the keyboard C. Through the various combinations provided by the bars R for releasing the individual slides P and with the aid of the shift bar S, the keyboard C, which as before stated is of the ordinary typewriter variety with approximately the same number of fingerkeys, is capable of controlling the operation of the reeds B, which in number are approximately double that of the finger-keys. The operation of the shift bar S is controlled by the two special finger-keys C C before referred to, being shifted to the left by the rising of the slide S to release the upper case group of slides when the one marked U. C. is depressed, and being shifted in the opposite direction by the slide S to release the lower case group when the one marked-L. C. is depressed.

As a result of the foregoing arrangement, when a finger-key is depressed, the inclinedportion C of the connected key bar C is swung into con-, tact with certain conductor bars C through the appropriate pins 0 and the rear end of the bar caused to rock the plate C rearwardly. As the terminal C in the arm C contacts with the terminal 0 on the plate 0 a circuit withnthe generator V is closed and a current transmitted throughthe key bar C and conductor bars C to thecorresponding magnets R, which inturn actuate the particular locking bars R with which they are connected.

The solenoid Q at this time is also energized by contact of the terminals C and C, but through an independent circuit which, as -indicated in the diagram, Fig ll, includes a relay V for delaying the operation of the bar Q and the consequent release of the selected slide P until the locking bars R are shifted to active position by their respective magnets R As the said slide rises under the influence of its detent P, the associated'escapement actuating reed B is lifted and a matrix bearing a character corresponding to that of the finger-key depressed is released from the magazine A for composition in line. When the said key is released, the electric circuits are instantly broken by action of the springs C and c in restoring the parts to their normal position. 1

' As previously stated, the invention has been shown herein merely by way of example, being directed in its broader aspects to a means for establishing a series of combinations through which'a keyboard, such as that indicated, may control the release of matrices from a standard linotype or similar machine. Also While the combination producing bars R are operated automatically by electrical devices under control of the finger-keys, they might be operated directly from the'keys or through some other mechanical devices. In short, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to anyspecific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified'in the following claims.

The keyboard herein shown comprises fortyfive character keys, three space keys, and two shift keys, in addition to the usual spacer key. The forty-five character keys each carry two index characters, one inthe upper case group, and the other in the lower case group. Hence, with the aid of the two shift keys, the forty-five character keys are enabled to control ninety different matrix columns in the magazine, this being the usual number of matrix columns employed in the regular linotype machine. While the regular linotype machine ordinarily makes provision for the'use of small cap characters'these characters appear on matrices bearing the numerals, punctuation marks, etcetera, so that no additional matrix columns are required because of these small cap characters. If it were desired 'to use the typewriter keyboard layout herein disclosed for such small cap characters, this would merely involve placing additional index characters on those keys controlling the corresponding matrix columns.

This application is a division of an application filed by me March 22, 1929, Serial No. 349,240, and which has since matured into Patent No; 2,002,516, dated May 28, 1935.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

Y 1. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled magazine containing a font or set of matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matricesfrom the magazine, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into groups, a keyboard comprising a series of manually operated'finger keys, and intermediate code devices controlled from the finger keys of the keyboard for establishing a series of different combinations to control the operation of the individual reeds in one group or another in effecting the release of the matrices in the associated magazine channels.

' 2. In a typographical machine,'the combination of a channeled magazine containing a font orset of matrices, escapements controlling the release of thematrices from the magazine, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into groups, a keyboard comprising a series of manually operated finger keys, and intermediate code devices controlled from the finger-keys of the keyboard for controlling the operation of the reeds in one group or another to effect the release of matrices in the associated channels.'

3. In a typographical machine,the combination of a channeled matrix magazine having escapements, a series of power-operated escapement ac.- tuating reeds divided into groups, a corresponding series :of slides controllingth'e operation of the reeds, a keyboard comprising a series of manually operated finger keys, a set' of intermediate looking bars cooperatingdirectly with the slides and movable from ina'ctive'to active position to establish difierent combinations for controlling the operation of the ree'ds'in one group or another, and means controlled by the actuation of the fingerkeys of the keyboard for operating said bars.

4. A combination as specified in claim 3, including a manually operated shift key for selecting the appropriate slides controlling the desired group of escapement actuating reeds.

5. A combination as specified in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the operating means for the said locking bars consists of a corresponding set of magnets, and that the manual actuation of the finger-keys make and break the electrical circuits through the magnets.

6. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled magazine containing a font of matrices arranged therein in a given order as to character, a keyboard having its manually operated finger-keys arranged in a different order as to character, intermediate co-acting devices operable selectively to establish different combinations for eifecting an operative connection between the finger-keys and the corresponding magazine channels, and means controlled by the actuation of the finger-keys for operating said devices.

7. A combination as specified in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the arrangement of the finger-keys of the keyboard corresponds with that of the standard typewriter keyboard, and also by the fact that the magazine has its contained matrices arranged in the regular linotype order.

8. A "combination as specified in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the magazine channels are divided into two groups containing respectively upper and lower case matrices and that the said devices operate to effect an operative connection between the finger-keys and either group of channels to the exclusion of the other.

9. A combination as specified in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the said devices consist of a set of notched locking bars movable singly or in groups to produce diiferent combinations whereby the connections between the fingerkeys and magazine channels are established.

10. In a typographical machine, the combina-- tion of a channeled magazine containing a font or set of matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices from the magazine, a series of escapement actuating reeds, power-operated devices for actuating the reeds, a corresponding series of trip dogs for controlling the operation ofthe reeds, :springeactuated slides-for actuating the trip dogs, a keyboard comprising-iaseri'es of manually operated finger keys; a set of notched locking bars movable to active or inactive position singly orin groups to produce releasing combinations for said slides, and meanscontrolled by the finger-keys of the keyboard for operating the'locking bars and for restoring the released slides to their inactive position against the tension of their actuating springs. i

11. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled matrix magazine having escapements, a series of poweroperatedesoapement actuating reeds divided into groups for effecting the release of matricesof corresponding character, a keyboard comprising a' series-of-manually operated finger keys, intermediatecode devices controlled from the finger keys of thekeyboard for establishing in duplicate a series of difierent combinationsto control the operation of corresponding reeds in the said groups,-and means operable at will for selecting one group of reeds for operation to the exclusion of another.

12. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled matrix magazine havingescapements, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into two groups for efiecting the release of matrices of corresponding character, a keyboard, a set of intermediate looking bars movable to establish in pairs difierent combinations for controlling the operation of corresponding reeds in both groups, means controlled by the finger-keys of the keyboard for operating the said bars, and locking means operable to prevent the operation of one group of reeds or the other, as desired.

13. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled matrix magazine having escapements, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into groups, a corresponding series of slides controlling the operation of the reeds, a keyboard, a set of intermediate looking bars movable to establish diiferent combinations for controlling the operation of the slides, means controlled by the finger-keys of the keyboard for operating the said bars, and means'for locking against operation the particular slides controlling the reeds of one group or those controlling the reeds of another group, as desired.

14. A combination as in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the said locking bars are formed with looking teeth and intervening releasing notches arranged according to a given code system.

15. A combination as in claim 13, including a shift key and characterized by the fact that the locking means therein recited consists of a master bar common to all of the slides and adjustable by means of said shift key.

16. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled matrix magazine having escapements, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into groups, a set of spring-controlled locking bars movable to establish a series of different combinations for controlling the operation of the individual reeds in one group or another, a corresponding set of magnets for actuating the bars against the tension of their control springs, a keyboard comprising a series of manually operated finger keys, and intermediate electrical devices controlled by the finger-keys of the keyboard for closing and breaking selectively independent circuits through the magnets.

17. In a typographical machine, the combination of a channeled matrix magazine having esc pements, a series of power-operated escapement actuating reeds divided into groups, a set of locking bars movable to establish a series of difierent combinations for controlling the operation of the individual reeds in one group or another, a corresponding set of magnets for operating the bars, a keyboard comprising a series of manually operated finger keys, intermediate electrical devices including a set of conductor bars disposed in the circuits of the magnets and prescnting a series of electrical contacts arranged therein according to a given code system, and means controlled by the actuation of the fingerkeys for en aging said contacts to close the circuits through the associated conductor bars and corresponding ma nets.

18. In a typographical machine, the combinaion oi a channeled matrix ma a ine h v scap m nts, a series of powerwperated escapemer t actuating reeds divided into wo r ups, a corre ponding series or spring-actuated slides controlling the operation of the reeds, a keyoard, a set of intermediate locking bars movable to establish difierent combinations for controllin the operation of the slides, a corresponding set of magnets for operating said bars, a universal bar common to all the said slides for releasing them and restoring them against the tension of their actuating springs, a solenoid or magnet for operating the universal bar, means operable at will for locking against operation the particular slides controlling the reeds in either group to the exclusion of the other, and electrical devices controlled by the finger-keys of the keyboard for closing circuits through the solenoid and selected magnets of the set.

19. A combination as specified in claim 18, characterized by the fact that the magnets for operating the locking bars are disposed respectively in a corresponding number of branch electrical circuits of a main circuit and that the solenoid for operating the said universal bar is disposed in a separate branch circuit of the main circuit.

20. A combination as in claim 18, including a relay disposed in the same branch circuit with the said solenoid to delay the operation of the universal bar, for the purpose described.

WILLIAM ACKERMAN. 

